Tag: iran nuclear deal

SYRIA While there may be some mopping up to be done, Daraa province is now back in Bashar al-Assad's hands. Rebels there agreed on Friday to surrender their medium and heavy weapons and to either give up fighting or be relocated to Idlib province. As a result, the Syrian government regained control over its important … Continue reading Middle East update: July 6 2018

Well, we're back. As usual when I've been gone for a while this update will mostly stick to things that happened today with some pieces I flagged while I was gone in there for good measure. It will probably be long and there's not much I can do about that. SYRIA Owing to a combination … Continue reading Middle East update: July 5 2018

MIDDLE EAST SYRIA ISIS's Amaq news agency is claiming that ISIS carried out an attack against Syrian Democratic Forces personnel in Raqqa on Thursday, which if true would be the group's first attack in the city since leaving it last October. So far I've seen no independent confirmation of anything like this having happened. Meanwhile, … Continue reading World update: June 22 2018

SYRIA Syrian artillery struck more targets in the rebel-held southwest on Thursday, and it seems as though Bashar al-Assad has finally committed to that area as his next target. Thousands of civilians have reportedly begun fleeing parts of Daraa province in anticipating of a government offensive there. The Syrian military appears to be focusing its … Continue reading Middle East update: June 21 2018

SYRIA The escalation in government bombardments in southwestern Syria reportedly has the Jordanian government concerned. Amman would desperately like to see its main border crossing with Syria reopened to facilitate commercial traffic, but it wants a peaceful solution to the situation to avoid either a new influx of displaced Syrians heading for the Jordanian border … Continue reading Middle East update: June 20 2018

We're a little early today because in addition to being Juneteenth we also have a family birthday to celebrate. I'll catch you all up tomorrow. SYRIA The Syrian army is once again dropping leaflets on southwestern Syria asking civilians to expel the rebels who currently control most of Daraa province and part of Quneitra province. … Continue reading Middle East update: June 19 2018

SYRIA Syrian and Iraqi paramilitary groups say that the US-led coalition attacked them late Sunday night. The groups say that drones, which they believe to belong to the US, struck a Syrian military base near the border town of al-Harra, southeast of al-Bukamal, at around 10 PM. The Iraqis claim the attack killed 22 of … Continue reading Middle East update: June 16-18 2018